A hydraulic fluid so bad, its been banned!

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[@whiteoakroadfarms]

Funny, I run 303 in my equipment from the 70's, 80's, and early 90's. All of it has between 10K and 20K+ hours on it and I have never had an oil created failure. Something tells me John Deere lobbyists have been working overtime given the cost of their branded oil.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Yeah I agree all I heard was they make the cheapest an weren't giving the rim jobs to enough players so they are being booted out of the market.

[@DavidTheCarpenter]

I have a 1967 Oliver that calls for type A transmission fluid in the hydraulic system. I wonder if the 303 would work and cost less to drip... lol

[@sdvten]

Look what John Deere has been lobbying for and are behind trying to prevent owners from repairing their own JD equipment without kissing the dealers ring. I have little doubt JD is behind this too.

[@theblacksunshineproject3597]

I think the problem lies with the hydrostatic dive tractors.. ..

[@strangefruit8776]

All the equipment from the 70s and 80s and a lot of it in the 90s had simplistic and really low powered hydraulic systems on them which is why they aren’t capable of running very many of the new implements out today.

[@michaelbligh1375]

When the machine leaks 5 gallons of oil in 5 days it doesn't matter what you use

[@DougFrantz]

I got one of those!

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

Yep we have one of those in old worn out 1066

[@snookysnax]

maybe it is time to fix it.

[@michaelbligh1375]

Homecomfort ain't nobody got time for that when the machine is wore out

[@travishanson166]

Some leaks you have to pull the cab or split the tractor for 1 bolt, so the repair gets shelved for that special day when the stars align on a sunny day when no other work needs to be done. Send it to town and it could cost 5,000 bucks in labor. How many $20 buckets of oil is that?

[@mikecubes1642]

its banned because the stores dont make $40 profit on each pail

[@spartaeus]

303 hydraulic oil is intended for use in a stand alone hydraulic system. An hydraulic system that operates only hydraulic components such as a front end loader or backhoe. It was not intended for wet brakes and clutch applications. Some people ( employees of the state of north carolina) mistakingly use it as a general all purpose lubricant in tractors with wet clutches, and whind up shortening the life of those parts. If you use 303 hydraulic oil for its intended purpose, you will not have a problem with it.

[@justadumbfarmer4744]

I don't know if I've ever heard a dealer advocating for anything to extend the life of a machine outside of their own high dollar brand.

[@buckhorncortez]

There are no "government mandated" oil requirements or standards. Oil requirements/standards are set by equipment manufacturers or the American Petroleum Institute (API) and tested certified by the API. Other standards may be developed and tested by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) giving SAE standards. Like Underwriters Laboratory (UL) both the API and SAE are private organizations, and are not affiliated with any local, state, or federal government agency.

[@84gssteve]

OMG, thank you for finally covering this topic! As the lead tech at a local equipment/tool rental company, I have been fighting the 303 issue with my local hydro shops, Smothers and Napa stores for almost 20 years. Not a single one of them really understood what the issue was with that fluid, and when I talked to anyone in charge, they basically said the same as you did, "Its cheap, and we sell a lot of it." Can't really fault them there as selling items come first right? But, I would not use this oil in anything more complex or advanced than a log splitter or hydraulic tiller. If you are looking for a better universal choice and are not necessarily going to run the maker specific factory oil, then please try to pickup a UTF that is made to J20C standard. I have confirmed with a local oil/fuel supplier in the past what is said here, that there is no actual standards in place for hydraulic fluid. It is of course entirely likely that even J20C is not appropriate in every situation, but its at least a more modern spec and certainly better than a 40+ year old fluid.

[@scaryhairy1]

I’ve used 303 for years in tractors from the 50s all the way up to the late 90s never had a problem with it

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Missouri banned it...I could by it for $25/ 5 gallons at Orcheln's...I put it in oil leaking Steigers...Gotta put about 2 gallons in them 40 year old tractors every time ya run them....Oil cheaper than fixing the leaks... Bought 2 Steiger Panthers years ago for under $20,000 will do about anything a 400 hp $300,000 new one will do..Plus Big Tractor Parts up by Fargo makes every part for them still......I am a downer on new paint, meaning new iron...

[@OldFarmAcresJoelK.]

i do too

[@bytesysed]

@@tcmtech7515 as a fleet repair mechanic.. in sake of what matters. You should not run anything with a dripping leak. Even if it is cost effective.

[@kyleboettcher1276]

You just made me laugh

[@drugsbunny7081]

Albert bach . Ive got a jcb 3cx .only 4 years old with a load of small fluid leaks . Ie pitted chrome on a few rams . As much as id like to repair it . I cant have the machine stuck in the workshop . I need it on site earning money . Many plant owners are in the same boat . Try owning your own machines ..its not that simple .

[@atcaleb]

303 is fine if it gets replaced often and doesnt get wet when used in most older equipment. You cant tell me different, ive got my lifes experience to back that up with. Ive changed thousands of gallons of 303. Only pump ever failed was a Parker on a 2012 Toro and it was running toros high dollar synthetic. Fwiw

[@12cunow]

CAUTION !!! North Carolina is going the way of CALIFORNIA !!!! (you're gonna hate it). The hydraulic fluid is still good - and it's still cheap - and THAT IS THE ONLY REASON it was pulled from the shelf. Just another case of an oligarch's reach into the pockets of those that wish to conserve their older equipment. Still works fine in the many old tractors across the rural community - but the guys selling the NEW STUFF - don't want people to keep their old stuff - without punishing them for not buying new stuff ... and of course we believe EVERYTHING the government does is good ... right ... ? So no more cheap hydraulic oil for your log splitter or your old tractor. If this guy sold computers - he'd be a "technocrat" . This is the gentrification of equipment marketplace.

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

303 is not recommended for Tractors built after 1974..... Even John Deeres 30, 40, 50, and up take a oil with a J-20C spec... There are a lot of Old Deeres (20 series) that 303 is suited for...... You have to become educated enough to read the label

[@DLTJR1959]

Exactly... We ran 303 in out old Allis Chalmers for years with zero issues... That is what was spec'd for the units...

[@mongomay1]

Yes they make oil that covers the old standards of equipment built in the pre- 1975 SuperS premium (utto) and Super 303 (utf). I just bought a decent Ford 5500 backhoe from about 1969 that has a dry hydraulic of 67 gallons, the heck if I am going to use $70 a pail hyd. oil in it for a 50 year old machine, that needs the oil changed and reservoirs cleaned.

[@jakewhitney8201]

I use 303 in my John Deere 1010 dozer. That's what it calls for. Know your application, pretty simple.

[@jamesabernathy2087]

I am a truck driver for this family owned business in Louisiana. Their oil’s & greases are very good and I use them. I’ve never had a problem.

[@nickardoin8430]

We have been using 303 in our equipment for a long time and have never had a failure in any transmission or hydraulic system due to improper oil. I’m not going to a dealership and spending 100 dollars every time I need a bucket of hydraulic oil. Sorry buddy, ain’t happening. I guess if I ran newer equipment then hydraulic oil would be something I paid closer attention to because hey, if I’ve got the money to buy a tractor that costs tens of thousands of dollars then I guess that means I can afford dealership hydraulic oil. But I find it hard to believe I’m doing something wrong using hydraulic oil from let’s say Napa or Tractor Supply in machines that were built in the 70’s and 80’s. You said it yourself in the video, they’re all pretty much the same. At the end of the day, a salesman is a salesman. He wants you to buy his product so he can make money. And as far as a state government banning people from being able to buy a particular kind of hydraulic oil, well I’d say that’s a little more than overreach. If it’s my money and my equipment, I’ll buy whatever the hell I want to buy to put in it.

[@scottpowell4342]

The word I got from a service tech that was at my house just two days ago was that 303 "eats brakes". He didn't suggest it would work in general. He says it'd be fine in my 1950's model 50 (different braking system), just not my newer equipment. I can use anything else, just not 303, and he's not selling anything. At my TSC, 303 is $17. 20A is $26. Traveller is $38. Don't need to spend $100.

[@jhelmuth6037]

I'm self employed mechanic and don't promote a certain brand although I have favorites. I tell my customers they can either pay for good oil or pay me to fix it. Im busy with repairs. Some people never listen or learn. A good test is see if you can burn it, good quality new oil will not burn, poor quality will, some can even be used for fire starter

[@canoworms27]

I have an older model 310-D backhoe, and here in Florida I use AW68 because of the heat issues, however, I also have a 1950 9N tractor that I do use 303 oil with no problems.

[@mecalpsha4473]

No need to worry (Gov Bureaucrats will make the decision for you) seems to work for the USSR (they collapsed) but they just did not implement Communism (sharing of misery).... ... but it is so wonderful ALSO they need you to pay YOUR FAIR SHARE .... TAXES TAXES....

[@richardhertz8996]

The big issue here is not that X fluid is good or bad, it's whether that fluid is appropriate for the application it is being used in. There is a HUGE difference between a straight hydraulic system and combination hydraulic/hydrostatic drive system, and just because a fluid was right for a 1974 John Deere, doesn't mean it's right for a 2004 John Deere. It's really sad that the equipment manufacturers and lubricant manufacturers haven't pushed for a recognized standard for hydraulic fluids, and it's even more sad that many of the manufacturers of "generic" fluid" don't do a better job helping the consumer choose the correct fluid for their application. An ETHICAL approach would be to spell out on the label in some detail where X fluid is absolutely NOT recommended, or putting application guides in store aisles. Nobody likes a bargain any more than I do, but I also expect equipment to last about 1000 years and work the way it's intended to every time, so personally I'm willing to spend a little more and get the BEST fluid for my application, even if it costs a little more. We can ALL name situations where we used something not for it's intended application and all went well, but remember that even in Russian Roulette, everything comes out fine five out of six times you play. That sixth time is the killer, pun intended.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Missouri banned it...I could by it for $25/ 5 gallons at Orcheln's...I put it in oil leaking Steigers...Gotta put 2 about gallons in them 40 year old tractors every time ya run them....Oil cheaper than fixing the leaks... Bought 2 Steiger Panthers years ago for under $20,000 will do about anything a 400 hp $300,000 new one will do..Plus Big Tractor Parts up by Fargo makes every part for them still......I am a downer on new paint, meaning new iron...

[@HurricaneAndrewGTM]

Missouri banned it because it was being used in the production of methamphetamine somehow.

[@rhoadesy_6567]

Welp should still be fine for my 1963 AC D-19. Can’t see why not

[@mikeobrien2992]

Rhoadesy_65 bdone

[@travelinthru9519]

Yep

[@tombig4011]

We had a Case IH dealership for 30 years and even though hytran was expensive it was well worth the price.

[@leewatkins1610]

ypu are just another sucker that has plenty of money!

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

They don't want low cost fluids to be sold because people won't fix the leaks. They figure if it costs more for fluid than to repair a leak, there will be less oil running on the ground.

[@WilliamsonRidge]

As a Kubota owner I like to use what the dealer recommends that way if I do have a problem later they can’t say it’s because I used an inferior product, paying a little more now could save thousands later!

[@mountainman7782]

I use mostly 303......... Oh Deere But then again I have mostly old equipment

[@subjectofgov]

You know the story of R-12 vs 134A vs latest and greatest? Gov control to spike the market.

[@Elk4758]

I don't worry about the spec being off. But i wouldn't buy it because I've dumped it into a tractor in cold temps and it had ice in it. So i assume they all have a little bit of water in them you just don't notice it when its warm out.

[@djbmw1]

Nothing seems to be "wrong" or "bad" about the fluid. Consumers really need to understand what products they need for different applications and buy accordingly. The government shouldnt interfere. For example, if people want to drink soft drinks and eat candy all the time, they should be allowed to even though it might not be the best for them. The same is true for buying hydraulic fluid and using it in a tractor that it's not meant for - thats the consumers fault, not the manufacturer.

[@FishFind3000]

djbmw1 so your saying if I put gear oil in my engine the state is gonna step in and save me from myself! Wow. It shouldn’t be the states issue to fix stupidity.

[@djbmw1]

FishFind3000 im not sure where you got that from in my comment as I specifically said that the government should stay out of opinionated "stop sale" orders when not backed by proof of false advertising or illegal/restricted ingredients

[@andrewostrelczuk406]

Gotta weigh in here for the all to CONSIDER... Once upon a time this country had incredible workmanship, standards of what's right and wrong, people who have made millions of dollars in a deal sealed with a handshake... there have always been the cheapskates, the con- man, the lazy, but the ASE, SAE, API, UL, and more unbiased reviewers and testers that held the standards lable that was glued to the can and guaranteed that by their good reputation what was on the label is what is in the can. Speaking from experience I have noticed that the anti foaming agent in hydraulic fluid seems to have disappeared. Again "Once Upon A Time" I remember changing the entire hydraulics fluid in 2 Catapiller 621B scrapers from some Cherry juice to 10 weight oil in the Army some 30 years ago, and the label made by Shell oil back then was on the top center of the 55 gallon can and had all the ingredients in the oil and their purpose in laymens terms, right smack dab on the 8-1/2 " x 11" paper. Today good luck ... Reading even on-line, can be worse than looking up words on a cereals BOX with a Webster's dictionary ( yes I know how to do that too) today you can dam near sell anything you want buyer beware... even take the money and run and tell the customer it's the way it is...

[@andrewmazurek3344]

Missouri did that back in 2017. I think it was a good idea to protect the consumer. That stuff had whatever in any amounts in it. I have fixed so many pieces of equipment from a old boys putting that in hydro tanks.

[@davidharris6581]

No you haven't. You are making that up.

[@stevewarner8880]

I agree with Neal. Why would anyone go cheap on the hydraulic fluid in their equipment. I have only used SuperUDT or SuperUDT2 in all my Kubota equipment. I don't want to be accused of being penny wise and pound foolish.

[@danwells7691]

i quit using it after seeing all the grit at the bottom of the bucket. definitely not for aluminum pumps or valves

[@njwebste]

I run 303 in my th350 automatic. It's only like $15 for a 5qt at the farm store.

[@rnott5768]

I have been running Super S 303 in my Ford C4 transmission for years. This C4 has not been rebuilt in 30 years.

[@dewaynemiguel5695]

In the 70s through 90s I started using hydraulic oil in the powersteering on my bobtail dump trucks powersteering fluid was too thin it would run hot and eat the seals up on the power steering boxes,a old man told me to try hydraulic oil and I never had a seal go out or pump or steering box trouble again

[@clinkerclint]

I was sold some hydraulic oil from a NAPA and was told it would work with our john deere tractors. I put some in our 4240 and almost immediately noticed more vibration through the entire tractor. I got out the bucket to see what it was and sure enough, it was napa branded 303. That $30 bucket of oil cost me several hundred dollars worth of good hydraulic oil.

[@markcole6475]

Friend of mine uses JD tractor hydraulic oil in his automatic trans for his Drag car! Works great and he’s had much less failures over the years! Only problem using it is the viscosity when cold! Probably too thick for extreme cold temps for a auto trans to work properly. I’ve used tractor oil for my hydraulic jacks also!

[@pbc1951]

If you are an Expert... What Hydro Oil should I put in my Ford 535 Tractor Loader it is about a mid 70's Industrial Tractor Loader,.

[@kirkmooneyham]

I can understand that if you have old equipment, then using the hydraulic fluid that was made for it makes sense.

[@travelinthru9519]

Still works wonderful in my Allis Chalmers WD

[@CONTACTLIGHTTOMMY]

Throw in a few gallons of high quality 10-30 motor oil and the 303 will be enhanced enough for most applications. CAT says that motor oil is an acceptable substitute for their high dollar HYDO hydraulic oil.

[@curtrn]

303 is all I have ever used ! I'm calling BS on this one. I'm going to go out and purchase a truckload of it now before more government regulations get involved. You can't even piss in your own backyard anymore. What happened to America ?

[@chuckquinn8026]

Let the arguments begin! Lol!

[@travelinthru9519]

All this is the sales ad for him to sale dealer oil .

[@mytmousemalibu]

303 makes a great auto trans racing oil. Instead of buying ridiculously overpriced B&M Tric Shift or any of the other racing ATF's. I wouldn't use it in any application that sees street use of any kind or prolonged use but drag racing, works a peach! Ive built street & racing transmissions and am ATRA Certified. Heaven forbid anyone has the forethought to choose the product they need. Never mind that theres a lot of people with old equipment that use 303 that don't want or cant afford to convert their fleet. Absolute nonsense. Fire up the 303 black market trade over there.

[@ASPCOT]

mytmousemalibu ...I DO use it in daily drivers. I am completely convinced ATF is an elaborate hoax. Case in point: Ford C-6s used type F since their inception. One year -1978- they required Dexron. Then, back to type F until the end of production. I've done my share of C-6s and can tell you the differences for the entire production run amount to different springs and different colored gears for speedometer drives. I have run SAE 10 , AW 68 hydraulic fluid, and lately this 303 tractor fluid in Ford C-6s. The only failing I have found so far with 303 tractor fluid is that it won't stop wet brake chatter on Ford tractors, even though it posts a New Holland spec number. To cure this, 2 pints of New Holland brake additive must be add to the 303 at oil change. The other option is to spend $80 for​ a 5- gallon can of New Holland Ambra. And a 9700 takes 4 of them.

[@clerdman1]

Theres a youtuber by the name of doc who recently posted a video of him having a trans line burst on the back end of the 1/4 mile. Made a huge smoke show as the fluid was sprayed on the hot headers. He uses 303 I believe, and is convinced the car didn't burn to the ground because 303 has a resistance against combusting.

[@mytmousemalibu]

@@ASPCOT Wow, okay then! I just don't know what the 303's detergents and modifiers are and how well they stand up in place of ATF in daily use. I could only vouch for racing use but your experience adds merit to continual use. Thanks for sharing, good to know!

[@mytmousemalibu]

@@clerdman1 Hot ATF igniting makes for an incredibly dangerous fireball & "explosion". I can see where the properties of 303 would mitigate that risk. Its a fair bit more viscous and hot ATF is very runny and has a low smoke & flash point. That could really save your bacon. You don't have to look far or hard to find videos of that happening.

[@KageShi]

What about all the vintage equipment that need these older discontinued oils to properly function. Looks like Grampaw's Tractor is getting parked for good to rot away as we cant get fluids anymore.

[@America-First2024]

I use 90w in my Farmalls. Hy-trans in my IH 574. And John Deere specifically states use 303 only in my 4020. Sooo.... I will not be purchasing a “new” tractor any time soon!

[@newsnowwyoming1757]

I realize you mostly sell new equipment, but I do know you sell used stuff. Would it be appropriate for you to do a video on basic maintenance, including more information on hydraulic fluid, and the other stuff you do on a regular basis? Once you do it on 1 sub-compact or compact, it is mostly the same across all.

[@jimdandy9671]

My jubilee originally used hydraulic oil created in 1953 and is still doing a full day's work in 2019 so, I'm not sure I see a problem here.

[@512bbnevada]

This is the type of guy where you go into for a $200 repair and the bill is $4300 when you leave. Hydraulic is 95 percent base oil additives are what makes the different specs. Unless it needs a specific spec hydraulic 303 is fine.

[@jasonsprouse2803]

303 is, I believe, a straight weight oil, with lower levels of anti wear additives. If you have an old machine that leaks, there is no reason to pay twice as much for an oil that will end up on the ground. I can't tell you how many 5 gallon buckets of hydraulic oil I've gone through over the years. A LOT.

[@t.c.bowling1934]

Yes but...this circles back to people not knowing or just simply cutting corners. That oil is perfectly fine for JD tractors before 74. I'm a firm believer of put what the manufacturer sells in your tractor. If it's green put their oil in. Blue tractors take New Holland oils. Next NC will ban diesel cause someone managed to put that into a gas engine.

[@jamieshields9521]

Oils r not oils old saying, when brought tractor from dealership I have buy there products because they would recommend that brand. I could go ahead n buy a well known brand but for big expensive farm equipment it’s a lot money to replace gearbox n axle. Don’t mess around with cheap poor brand oils, you soon find all farm equipment contaminated that mean you have flush out hydraulic lines, axle n gearbox very expensive I have seen horror, my mate who is hydraulic specialist has shown me results. Great vid👍

[@AdirondackNY]

It makes great power stearing fluid in cheap high mileage cars

[@mattdillon4398]

"to save a couple buck on a pail of oil" LOL! A couple bucks?! A pail of generic hydo fluid is $100 cheaper than a pail of "Caterpillar" fluid!

[@stuglenn1112]

At an oil refinery some where there is a hydraulic oil bottling line, coming down that line some bottles say Traveller (Tractor supply company), some say John Deere, some say Kubota and some say......

[@MessicksEquip]

This is absolutely 100% false. An elementary look at the MSDS sheets would tell you that.

[@stuglenn1112]

1.) They are just called SDS since a couple of years ago. 2.) If you think there is any appreciable difference oils of similar spec, then go ahead and waste your money.

[@johnycomelately1]

I hauled bulk and pallets of oils from a refinery years ago, they were bottling every brand you'd name. Base oil stocks were the same for a wt/vis only difference was additives that were blended in to meet customers spec. Synthetic oils are a different game all together

[@travelinthru9519]

Yep just like battery manufacturers there's only two of them . Just different sticker on them

[@Fuckitbro]

Messick's Lol you clearly don’t know your stuff. I bet you think your Nike shoes and Oakley sunglasses come from a special factory. 90% of stuff comes from the same factory all they do is stick a different label on it.

[@Videogamerforlife69]

that oil is $19 here. it just says on it don't use it in anything later then 1974. so guys like me with there old 1957 tractors might be ok...lol

[@MessicksEquip]

$19! how is that even possible. Just think about the costs to package, transport, stock, etc. Mind blowing.

[@MrRanger518]

303 sells for $14.99 for 5 gallons all day long around here.

[@robertbennett6697]

@@MessicksEquip Not to mention but how much could a retailer make vs the pricier stuff? LOL

[@travishanson166]

18.95 and 19.95 here on sale and it's always on sale.

[@fastst1]

I gotta agree with ChuckE2009 there, and I've bought 303 from TSC because its going in a 66 dozer and 70 backhoe and both of those meet the labeling where it says on the 303 pail, for equipment older than 1974! They don't use a lot so its a few gallons a year but why not.

[@ryanchapmanfarms7458]

Well my newest piece of equipment is a 1976 so I'll continue to use it.

[@travelinthru9519]

But he wants to sell you the high dollar junk that ur doesn't call for.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

Time to smuggle oil into North Carolina. I like to live life in the edge. I also like to jaywalk on the street.

[@himself2]

Been using it for years on evedy kubota I've ever owned,never had a problem,one mans trash is anothers treasure,neils a sales man at the end of the day,for what that's worth!!

[@jessewilson4954]

I used TSC Traveller hydraulic in my Farmall 460 & it formed a wax on the filter & cut off the flow. I changed the filter it happened again after an hour or so. Ended up draining the system & putting another filter and different oil to cure the problem & it never happened again. No more TSC oil for me.

[@v73w85]

The traveller could have been having a reaction with whatever oil was in the tractor previously, what oil did u end up going with

[@jessewilson4954]

@@v73w85 I had drained the old oil out to change it. I don't remenber what I replaced it with.

[@Skitzo2294]

What are people opinion on tractor supply hydraulic fluid? I use in on 20 year old tractors or more. I would not use it on a new one.

[@ih1206]

Proper fluids are critical. We run old school IH tractors and the hydro transmission and T/As like Case IH’s HyTran and that’s what they get. Use the fluids that they’re made to run on.

[@smoothbore4377]

I thought we were talking about HYDRAULIC oil, ... not TRANSMISSION oil.

[@MarylandFarmer.]

Didn't Tsc or the maker of 303 get sued for calling it hydraulic oil, and instead of pulling it they changed the wording. So folks that don't know any better still buy it. I think I even recall hearing this at your open house a few years ago.

[@Farmall450]

The citgo milemaster was good stuff. Discontinued a few months ago, Farm & Fleet can't get it.

[@tdgreenbay]

I laugh at these people who are happy to be cheap... these are the ones that make me as a mechanic lots of money... use the right fluids dont skimp on maintenance

[@nacekilpatrick348]

G day I have a fiat 411r and the rear hydraulics don't go up and down.

[@thomasbrighton6159]

thanks for the good tip!

[@joeboscarino2380]

Never heard why they said the oil was bad . No reason given .

[@MitzvosGolem1]

don't...don't..use cheap hydro oil. Especially in hydrostatic pumps motors . Look in bottom of pail see black grime ..Yellow bucket . Dollar General oil. Crazy!

[@bluetickhound1748]

I use 303 in my equipment

[@kennethfeld6639]

What happens if you have a 1970 John Deere tractor?

[@getonlygotonly]

it ill be fine, just get a roll of duck tape, bailing wire and a big wad of bubble gum

[@davec.3198]

Question for you guys..I have a Yanmar EX2900 with a hydro transmission and front end loader. 330 hrs. I did my 300hr service on it this past weekend and picked up vp racing lubricants ultra j20a. I neglected to read the fine print at Tractor Supply and it says for use in older pre 1990 tractors. Mine is a 2008. Yanmar recommends TF500 and that is a J20A from the pictures I have see of the actual oil containers. Any thoughts?

[@marksmopar609]

It works great as regular hydraulic oil,I wouldn't think John deer specs would be that low back in the day

[@y2kxj]

We run 15w40 for hydraulic oil in kubota r520 articulated machines..so said by kubota dealer.. others use nuto 68. Or 32.. cat stuff get cat 50.

[@reallyslowcustom2514]

I use engine oil never had a problem have a JD 2010 it loves it

[@bigunone]

LOL I just paid $48. for a bucket of this, but as someone else said I have been chasing leaks and there is no reason to use high dollar stuff in my 33 year old IHC till I am sure I have found all of them

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

What hydraulic oil would you suggest as a replacement for the 303?

[@4x4Moses]

Exxon 424

[@74superglide]

Any old fluid as long as it cost $75 a bucket lol....that what they want you to pay 🤣

[@Fuckitbro]

Love2boat92 It’s all the same they take 303 and relabel it and sometimes put a bullshit propriety additive that does nothing more then cost you extra money.

[@jhelmuth6037]

Ask any mechanic who has at least 25 years experience that you can trust. They've seen the results of oils and maintenance

[@dirtmoves5894]

No I haven’t read every label on every 5 gallon bucket of hydraulic oil but the ones I have indicate that 303fluid is for older tractors. If you believe it’s OK to use 303 fluid in a newer machine you are causing internal damage to the pump and gears. This kind of damage does not manifest itself for many many hours of use. At some point you’re going to be scratching your head wondering why you’ve had catastrophic failures in your equipment. I believe the government should enforce truth in labeling and advertising and hold companys responsible for the damages they cause for misrepresenting themselves. However it’s your choice,we all have the right to be idiots.

[@doncox8966]

Trust the best go with Schaeffer's!

[@timhood6970]

Never understood people payin good money for a piece of equipment then put cheap fluid in it.... BUT with that being said, looks to me like that is the consumer's choice to make, not the Governments?!?!?!?!?

[@travishanson166]

I'm sure those with 50k+ rigs are different than those who would spend more for fluids than what they paid for the tractor if they bought name brand. Coolant is another on the list. My tractor takes 26 gallons of coolant at near $20 a gallon for 50/50 or I can buy RV glycol for $1 a gallon. I'd by another cheap running tractor with new fluids before replacing every fluid in mine with name brand. When they stop selling used 38" tires, I'll buy another tractor before I buy new rubber lol. For what I do, it makes me money, even if something breaks along the way.

[@timhood6970]

@@travishanson166 I understand what you are saying, I myself will buy the cheapest coolant I can find, and buy my engine oil from places other than the dealer also, but when it comes to hydraulic fluid, I always go to a reputable dealer for that, just because it is not tested by anyone other than the manufacturer themself, judt bought a load of coolant this weekend, straight from Rual King LOL, and that is where my engine oil comes from too along with grease!

[@travishanson166]

@@timhood6970 I like Rural King and Farm King lol.

[@dalda6960]

MO Banded it here back a 20 years ago but there I think there still selling 303 but under a different label and for a little bit more expense

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

Do you have a link to the news article I would like to look at it thanks

[@MessicksEquip]

pqiablog.com/2018/08/08/north-carolina-is-now-the-third-state-to-issue-a-stop-sale-order-on-303-tractor-hydraulic-fluid/

[@travelinthru9519]

Works great in my massy Harris 22 and Allis Chalmers wd45 abd my farmall cub and Allis Chalmers 840. That's what it was designed to use didn't have all this modern synthetic garbage back then..

[@scottmccullough70]

What if you still use a ‘63 model tractor in NC?

[@joeygarren2714]

So is it ok to use new generation oil in an old tractor, made before '74?

[@MessicksEquip]

Yes.

[@bropocalypse2065]

But don’t go and throw it away. You can use it other ways like greasing the bearings on my old ladys wheelchair scooter. Or wrestlin a girl in it but only if your half related or less.

[@marknesbitt6959]

Maybe your tractor is from before 1974, my brother inlaw just sold his 9n that he was for mowing an snow removal

[@danielc5205]

Our 1962 John Deere 5010 requires JDM 303.

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

The only thing we run that 303 fluid in is a worn out 1066 International that it's only job is running a grain auger or water pump the transmission is never under any heavy load anymore the problem with that tractors every single seal in it leaks and the rest of the tractors very rough before anyone says it know when we are done with this tractor it will go to the scrap iron pile we do have one 1066 that is a show tractor though that one gets good fluid

[@MessicksEquip]

I get purchasing cheaper fluids for old beat up equipment, but you deprive your 1066 of the last 40 years of engineering advancements. Its all speculation, but its very possible that tractor could be in better shape today with better fluids.

[@ROTAXD]

North Dakota 322 careful...ChuckE2009 will be contacting you wanting to buy the tired old 1066 to add to his hoarde lol.

[@DougFrantz]

Chucke is a Messicks customer but so am I and much closer to accept a junk tractor to use I the field!

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

@@MessicksEquip we ran the premium oil in it for most of its life but when all the seal started leaking upwards of almost a gallon a day that's when we switch to the cheaper oil this tractor is never used for hard pulling anymore just PTO work all the rest of our equipment gets good oil

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

@ChuckE2009 Chucky this tractor is clapped-out out even by your standards I know the cab has been on fire at least once all the tires are shot the rims are rustad cuz it has calcium in them the frame is cracked from when it had a loader on it like when I say this tractor is shot I mean it is shot there are things worn out then it I didn't even know you could wear out I know a tractor has been split a few times to have new clutches and have the engine rebuilt the least twice The hour meter stopped working at 21000 hours and according to my grandfather that was a good 15 years ago. And this thing has augured every ounce of our 4000 Acre Farm into the bin and then out of the bin for the past 20 years. I wish I could post pictures on here you would not believe how shot this machine is there is really nothing worth saving on it anymore.

[@2naturesownplace]

NC at times ( I am a country rural citizen here ) actually does fight for farmers, homesteaders.. youngings like ChuckE2009. I say this, due to a few years back companies were pushing for a stop of selling special tools, manuals etc to anyone other than the dealer and those that worked at the dealer. NC stepped in and basically said.. customers that buy the product, thus making it their property. Have the RIGHT to work on it if they wish or take it elsewhere for repairs. I think something like this happened in the midwest with John Deere and the software used on their high end machines. NC went to bat for the ole shade tree mechanic.

[@harperjmichael]

If that isn't the most click bait title I've seen in awhile, and yet no real explanation of exactly why it was pulled. If it was that bad this would have happened across the Nation. They did this same thing in Missouri and we were all scrambling trying to find fluid for our wore out 60's to 90's equipment.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

Missouri banned it...I could by it for $25/ 5 gallons at Orcheln's...I put it in oil leaking Steigers...Gotta put about 2 gallons in them 40 year old tractors every time ya run them....Oil cheaper than fixing the leaks... Bought 2 Steiger Panthers years ago for under $20,000 will do about anything a 400 hp $300,000 new one will do..Plus Big Tractor Parts up by Fargo makes every part for them still......I am a downer on new paint, meaning new iron...

[@roadworn1980]

So let me get this straight....there are no specifications or any mandated requirements for hydraulic oil, but the state of North Carolina’s requirements division put a “stop sell” out on J303 hydraulic fluid because it’s not properly specified for use in any modern equipment.....uhhhhh, what am I missing here? So every other manufacturer of hydraulic oil can say, hey it meets “our” requirements, to meet your tractor brands hydraulic fluid requirements (even though there are no requirements), with the exception of J303.....so everyone else can have an opinion of “their” fluid meeting the no mandated requirements of other company’s hydraulic oil but J303.....yeah, okay. Nothing fishy here, move along 😂😂😂😂 I’m not saying I use this oil, because I don’t, just an observation....

[@brianpappas5650]

Thanku for this informative vid of what govt is trying to do to us !!

[@therustyblades1212]

Ha Super S is made right down the road from where I live.

[@dpd16790]

mobil 424 oil is what i have been told is about the best... we have a hydrostat guy that has rebuilt hundreds if not thousands of pumps and components and his personal recommendation is mobil 424.. he says if that is used then you will not have pump or motor problems again.. seems far fetched to me but i would assume he would know.. we have been using it for many years now and haven't had any problems..

[@michaeldoiron1535]

There will always be problems, yet I'd go with the Mobil 424. Signed, Former Gradall mechanic

[@doomman700]

Thanks, now j can’t get cheap oil for my old deere.

[@Kayne2388]

Is that the one with the handle on the bottom of the bucket for pouring

[@davehughesfarm7983]

yep...love it...

[@josecorrea6795]

What hydraulic fluid would you recommend for a log splitter?

[@MessicksEquip]

Honestly, that's probably one thing that I would say the cheapest thing you can find.

[@aldimore]

I see it at my local tractor supply for $18.99 for 5 gal. Hurry while it lasts LOL

[@davids.9834]

Its fine for things like log splitters.

[@74superglide]

They are not carrying hydraulic fluid anymore and are getting rid of it, this brand anyway.

[@buildthings79]

@@davids.9834 Sure if you want your log splitter pump to shit the bed 500% faster. Oils that are ment to lubricate gears are not the same as high pressure hydraulic oils. Transmissions only operate in the 200- 400 psi range. Log splitters operate at around 2500 psi. The clearance between the pump gears will not mesh well with lower quality oils that cavitate because they were designed in a time that pumps only used low pressure to do work.

[@travishanson166]

Runnings stocks 4 pallets for every 1 pallet of the expensive stuff where I live. Regular price is 23.95, sale price between 18.95 and 19.95 and it's always on sale.

[@travishanson166]

The nicest thing beside the price of 303 is it flows and pours at -40°F . I blend it with my motor oils to avoid dry cold start conditions . My hydraulic lifter engines really enjoy having oil right away when cold. Another nice thing about it is it stays cleaner longer than any other engine or hydraulic/machine oil I've used. I go into any "off label" use with the idea that someone somewhere said if you do it something major is going to break because of the oil, so I pay attention in case something odd starts happening. So far in over 5 years nothing major (or minor) has come up and I'm not nice to my stuff, the machines work hard. This seems more like a smear campaign as the oil is typically 1/3 to 1/5 the price of the next jug on the shelf. And finally when it's time to change fluids it's not near as painful to burn the used oil in the shop. It works fine for my program. I wouldn't recommend my program to others, as I'm intrinsically aware of the risks I'm taking, whereas others may not be, even if their results proved to be as successful as mine.